As a frequent traveler, I often rely on coffee shops for beverages, restrooms and internet access. Coffee shops can be your lifeline to friends, a much-needed hiding spot from the world outside or even just a place to replenish your bodily fluids. A coffee shop with vegan options is extremely common in 2011. You can increasingly find soy milk and other dairy alternatives such as almond or rice milk.

Having established that the humble coffee shop can be a sanctuary for the weary, vegan traveler, let’s move on to discuss how it can get better. Yes, I’m referring to a 100% vegan coffee shop. What was once a fanciful dream is now a fabulous reality in Philadelphia.

When you are in Philadelphia, your vegan options are plentiful and widespread. Pizza, burgers, salads and desserts are not thin on the ground. Grindcore House has joined this vegan feeding frenzy by making sure the cruelty-free community of South Philadelphia don’t need to ask ‘is it vegan’ when ordering a latte.

During my recent visit to the city, my friend John and I made our way to the coffee shop to investigate what was on offer. We strolled through the interesting (I struggled for an adjective here) South Philly streets for what seemed like hours until we reached our destination. It was worth the walk. Need an iced rooibos tea or some coconut creamer? Grindcore House will not let you down. Decadent vegan cakes are desired? Look no further.

Grindcore House in South Philly

A vegan coffee shop looks like this

Cakes, savouries and bottled drinks

Our drinks were chillicious (that IS a word)

Peanut butter mousse bomb cake by Vegan Treats

I’m not sure when I will find myself in South Philly again, but the chances are sooner rather than later now that Grindcore House exists. The staff are super friendly, books line shelves, they supply Wi-Fi and sell the delicious cakes of Vegan Treats. If they would just turn down the grindcore music a touch, this would be one of my favourite places to hang out in the world.

4 Responses to Call me up whenever u want 2 grind

I’d love to visit an all vegan coffee shop. I love sitting watching the world go by in some of my favourites, but unfortunately the independents round here don’t even do soy milk 😦 Lucky I like black coffee and espresso.